pdave.me

Today I want to give you a place to start your week. It’s Monday and in the wake of a great weekend and a workweek ahead, sometimes you just need a “kickstart” to get focused.  So grab some coffee let’s start a great week together.

Sunday, we kicked off a new (not so new) series at Kfirst. Last year, we took 6 weeks to bring a focus on something that far too many people do not understand: our emotions. It’s our emotional state that people can go into one of two extremes. On one hand, people can live completely in the wake of their emotions. They’ll operate not at a state of truth but in the pace of their passion for that day. On the other hand, there are those that completely disregard their emotions as if they were a curse or a weakness. It is as if emotions are something to endure in this life on earth instead of seeing them for which God sees them.

What I see in scripture is that our emotions are, first, a gift from God. They are part of our humanity. Second, if they are a gift, then we have a responsibility to steward (manage) them. This takes emotional discipleship; growing what we have deeper in the knowledge and passion for Christ.

Sunday, we dealt with SHAME. There is an understanding that God works (or the church should work) with guilt and/or shame. It is in this place where we needed to invite understanding as it gives us a greater view of the heart of God.

• Guilt: I live in regret of what I’ve done.
• Shame: I regret who I am.
• Conviction: Living with a Christ-centered response to what I face.

The God works, not with manifestations of regret, but with a Holy Spirit-driven response. He prompts, directs, shapes, and leads us into a deeper relationship with Him while bringing out a Christ-likeness in us.

Other thoughts from Sunday:

• Beating yourself up does not lead to bettering yourself.
• If there is a “blank” in your identity, shame will fill it.
• The worth you see in others doesn’t mean you are worth less.
• Shame demands shadows for its survival. Call it out of the darkness.
• Refuse to weaponize shame. Shame will NEVER lead you (or anyone) closer to God.
• The shame you refuse to release is the shame you choose to keep carrying.

Love you all. Have an amazing week.